NY GOP chief Ed Cox calls on Savino, Tabone to resign

New York Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox called on a pair of New York City GOP officials to resign Wednesday after they were caught in the middle of a high-profile bribery scheme surrounding the city’s mayoral race.

Bronx GOP Chairman Joseph Savino and Queens Vice Chairman Vincent Tabone were charged Tuesday with conspiracy and wire fraud for allegedly accepting $80,000 in paid and promised bribes from Sen. Malcolm Smith, a Queens Democrat who was seeking the Republican line on the mayoral ballot.

In a statement Tuesday, called the charges “deeply concerning.” On Wednesday, he upped the ante.

Here’s Cox’s statement:

“In light of the criminal charges revealed yesterday by the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, I call upon Bronx County Chairman Jay Savino and Queens County Vice-Chairman Vincent Tabone to resign from all of their party offices, effective immediately.

“As elected officers of the Republican Party, Chairman Savino and Vice-Chairman Tabone were entrusted to act in the best interest of the people of the city and state of New York. They have violated that interest and must resign.”